Fastening device



Jan. 9, 1945.

A. H. FAY, JR

FASTENING DEVICE Filed July 31, 1941 INVENTOR Azamer Ely J2.

' Patented Jan. 9, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FASTENING DEVICE Albert H. Fay, Jr., Nyack, N. Y., assignor to The Patent andLicensing Corporation, New ,York, N. Y., a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 31,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to fastening devices for roofing and siding construction and is more particularly concerned with the provision of novel means for securing shingles to sheathing or other supporting surfaces of the type characterized by a low degree of nail holding power.

The steadily growing demand for insulation of homes and other building structures in recent years has led to the use of fiber insulation board as a substitute for wood sheathing. These boards are generally made by felting them from an aqueous suspension of wood pulp or other fiblOllS material on well-known forms of board-forming machines. Usually these sheathing boards are made in a thickness of approximately 3%". Fiber insulation board as thus produced is sufllciently rigid to serve as sheathing, applied to studs spaced, in accordance with customary building practice, on 16" centers. However, owing to the fact that fiber insulation board is relatively soft and porous and, therefore, has a relatively low degree of nail-holding power as compared with the nail-holding power of natural wood, the outer coverings for exposure to the weather applied over such sheathing have had to be a size which is equal in length to or a multiple of the spacing between the studs so'that the covering might adequately be held in place with nails driven into the studs. With covering units of a length which is not a multiple of thespacing between the studs and especially those which are smaller than the spacing between the studs,

furring strips must be applied horizontally over the sheathing, the covering units being held in place by nails driven into the furring, but this re- 'quirement of furring out renders the construction too costly for general use.

An object of the invention is to provide means to make possible the securement of covering units such as asbestos-cement shingles, or asphalt composition shingles, directly to fiber insulation sheathing and which will serve to hold .such covering units when applied to areas of the sheathing intermediate the studs.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a simple, eificient and economical clip designed so as to be readily applied in locking engagement with the shank of a nail for dependable and highly efiective attachment of shingles to sheathing material of the character described.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel nail fastening clip that is readily sprung into locking engagement with the nail 1941, Serial No. 404,801

shank by manually applied pressure or by means of an ordinary tool, such as a hammer.

A further object is to provide a tension clip device of simple, practicalclesign for eflectively a holding a shingle nail against displacement from the sheathing,

An additional object is to provide an integral, metallic clip that is adapted for simple and effective application over the shank of a nail or other fastener to securely retain said nail or other fastener against displacement from a fixed position.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent from the detailed description which is to follow and from the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary rear view in perspective of ashingle and sheathing construction utilizing fastening means of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one form of clip that may be employed in the practice of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the clip shown inFig.3;

, Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of clip;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig, 1 illustrating the application of the clips in an alternative method of attaching shingles to insulated sheath- Fig. 7 is a cross-section taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is aperspective view of another form of clip; and

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the application of the modified form of nail holding clip of Fig. 8.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, the reference numeral l0 designates the fiber insulation board applied as a sheathing, being nailed directly to wood 'studs H, which generally are spaced on 16" centers. These boards are generally factory cut in standard widths and of various lengths. The-sheathing ID is applied so that horizontally adjacent panels are in abutting relation along their vertical edges at approximately ing shingles l2, such asthe substantially rigid, asbestos-cement type, are laid over the sheathing III in overlapping courses. These shingles may be of any desired length independent of the spacing between studs and, in accordance with the vertical center of a stud. Sidthe invention, may be fastened directly to the sheathing ID at any point without requiring nails to be driven into the studs or the use of fu i strips over the sheathing for holding nails driven thereinto. Thus, where the shingles I2 are of the asbestos-cement type. these are generally provided with properly located pre-formed nail holes I4 through which a nail I3 may be driven into the sheathing III until the nail head I 5 is substantially flush with the outer shing face I5. The proper type and size of nail I3 suitable for this purpose may be selected from many different types availabl in the market. However, it is essential that the type of nail selected shall hav a shank I! which is considerably longer than the combined thickness of several overlying shingles and the s eathing, so that the shank may extend a distance beyond the inner face of the sheathing suflicient to be operatively engaged by the fastening clip, as will be hereinafter described. It is also desirable, thou h not essential, that the shank I1 be provided with lateral projections spaced along the shank from the pointed end of the nail to at least the point of its emergence from the inner face 20 of the sheathing, for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. The lateral projections may also extend over the remaining length of the nail shank. One type of nail I3 suitable for the purpose is the annular ring type illustrated in Figs. 2, 7 and 9, wherein the metal over a considerable portion of the shank I1 is distributed to form a plurality of annular shoulders I8 and intermediate frustro-conical annular rings or grooves l9.

In accordance with the invention, the annular ring portion of the nail shank adjacent the face 20 of the sheathing is engaged by a spring clip which has a portion bearing on the face 20 and a portion which, when placed under tension, will exert suflicient resistance to prevent displacement of the nail. These clips are applied from the interior of the building, each clip being individually positioned adjacent the inner sheathing face 20 and then driven over the projecting nail shank I I so as to embrace said shank and securely anchor it in fixed position, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

One form of clip suitable for this purpose is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. These clips may be stamped out of spring or cold rolled steel and then formed over a die. In this embodiment, the clip, designated by the reference numeral 2I, comprises a substantially U-shaped body having a base or inner portion 24, 'an outer portion 25, and a bridging portion 26 integrally connecting the inner and outer portions at one end thereof, the length of the portion being preferably somewhat lessthan the length of the base 24. The outer portion 25 is bifurcated, from its end opposite the connecting portion 26, for a substantial part of its length to define a longitudinal slot 3| having substantially parallel sides 3233 against one annular shoulder I8.

stricted throat 35, is slightly greater than the least diameter of the annular nail rings I8, while the diameter of the semicircular opening 36 is substantially the same as the least diameter of the nail rings I9, and the width of the throat 35 is slightly less than the least diameter of the annular nail rings I3.

In use, the clip 2| is positioned over the portion of the nail shank I1 protruding from the inner face 20 of sheathing III so that the clip base 24 bears on the-sheathing surface 20 and a portion of the slot 31 embraces the said nail shank. Manual finger pressure or several light taps of an instrument such as a hammer, applied to the clip end 26, will slide the clip 2I over the shank I! at right angles to the axis thereof until the shank is received in the semicircular opening 36. After the shank I 'I is engaged within the opening 36, any tendency toward lateral displacement of the shank II toward the open end will be prevented by the constricted throat 35 serving as a tong-like barrier. Because the slot width adjacent the open end is slightly greater than the least diameter of the shank II, the slot sides 32-33 will slide into engagement with an annular groove I9, thus easing the traverse of the clip 2| for the remainder of the slot distance. At the same time the nail shank I1 is held against any tendency toward longitudinal displacement by the abutment of the slot sides The resilience of the spring steel or cold rolled steel enables the bifurcations or legs 4I-42 of the outer portion 25 to spring apart sufiiciently to permit the reception of the nail shank I'I, re-

sponsive to the spreadingforce exerted thereby.

It should be noted that the legs 4I42 of the outer portion 25 terminate respectively in areaately curved ends 43-44 which converge inwardly toward the slot sides 32-33. The similarly formed legs -46 of the inner or base portion 24 terminate respectively in arcuately curved ends 41-48 which converge inwardly toward slot sides 38-49. While the thus formed ends 4344 and 4I-48 aid in applying the clip 2| over the nail shank II, by directing the reception of the latter within the aligned slots 3| and 31, it is to be understood that these ends may be arbitrarily shaped in am! other manner, such as the square ends shown in Fig. 8. It is to be further noted that these ends 43- 44 and 4'I--48 may have a slightly upward bend or tilt, as at 49 and 50, in a manner analogous to the forepart of a ski, in order to enable the clip 2| to readily ride over the rough, fibrous sheathing surface 20 without gouging into or striking any I slight obstruction thereon.

3233. The upper end of the slot comprises a substantially semicircular portion 36 and inwardly extending protuberances 34 forming a constricted throat 35. The bearing or base portion 24 is similarly bifurcated to form the longitudinal U-shaped slot 31 having substantially parallel sides 3838 which run for the entire length thereof from the open end to the arcuate closed'end40. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the width of slot 31 is somewhat greater than the width of the overlying slot 3I. .The width of the slot'3l,'between its open end and the con- When the clip 2| is driven over the nail shank I1, the outer portion 25 becomes compressed toward the base 24 and is thereby placed under tension and is maintained under this tension by the restraint of one of the shoulders I8 on the nail. This tensionthus exerts an axial pull on the nail in the direction of the point of the nail, this pull being transmitted through the nail head I5 to the surface of the superimposed shingle I2 and in turn, a direct bearing force is exerted against the underlying shingle, thus causing the latter to press or bear up against the sheathing I0. One method of nailing the overlying courses of shingles to the sheathing, which takes advantage of the bearing force exerted by each overlying shingle, as described above, is to provide a plurality of spaced nailing perforations I4, usually three in number, near the bottom gripping engagement with exposed edge of the shingle (see Fig. No other perforations need be provided, since the overlying shingle will effectively hold the overlapped upper margm of the underlying shingle against the sheathing, forming a permanent weatherproof exterior covering that is substantially tight, rattle-proof or vibration-proof under the action of severe wind storms or other external forces. If desired, however, the nails may also be driven through one or more perforations 14 provided near the top edge of each shingle and each of the nails similarly anchored by one of the holding clips.

In Fig. 5, a modified embodiment of the clip, 2| is shown. This form difiers from the clip 21 illustrated in 'Figs. 3 and 4 in that the slot 31 is of the same width as both slots having parallel side edges for the entire length thereof. The width of the slots 3| and 31 is slightly less than the least diameter of the nail shank l1. With this form of clip, the side edges of the slots exert a frictional as well as tensional action on the shank of the nail, and accordingly may be used in connection with smooth shank nails. If desired, however, the lower slot 31 may be of a width slightly greater than the width of slot 3W. With this latter arrangement, the slot 3l will have no frictional the nail shank l1, thus merely serving to permit the reception of the nail shank along the length of the slot.

When this type of clip is driven over the nail shank ll, the slots 3| and 31 will simultaneously be sprung apart sufficiently to permit the clip to be moved until the nail is positioned at closed ends 36 and 40 The clip is placed under tens on during its traverse over the shank I! when the outer portion 25 is forced toward the inner or base portion 24 and maintained substantially in this compressed position by the engagement of the clip with one of the restraining shoulders I8 onthe nail shank II. This tensioning serves to effectively anchor the nail l3 against any tendency toward lateral or longitudinal displacement.

Still another form of c ip, indicated at 2l, is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 where the inner or bearing portion 24 preferably extends just short of the closed end 36' of the nail shank receiving slot M The outer or nail engaging portion 25 is formed near its outer end with a curved portion which ma serve as an additional bearing surface for the clip when it is under the tension provided by the engagement of the clip with one of the shoulders l8 on the nail IS. The slot 31 is the straight, U-shaped type illustrated in Fig. 5, and is of a width which is slightthe aligned slot 3l ly less than the least diameter of the nail shank ii. If desired, the slot may be formed with a constricted throat area, as in the clip 2 I It is readily apparent that the aforedescribed clips may be conveniently handled by the workman on any construction job and are simply and effectively applied without requiring any special tools. These clips may be manuiactured in a number of sizes and dimensions depending upon the nails or other fasteners which may be used.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated in connection with its application to an external wall of asbestos-cement shingles laid over fiber insulation sheathing board, it is to be understood that various other combinations sheathing may be used in a wall or roofingconstruction and that the present invention will find utility wherever it is desirable or necessary to increase the holding power of a nail, screw or other forms of fasteners. The clip of the present invention is adaptable also to assembly line production of automobiles, radios and refrigerators where the fastening of two metal parts or plastic and metal is a common problem.

I claim:

l. .A fastening device comprising a resilient metal body having spaced portions approximately parallel and connected at one end, an openended slot on one of said portions to engage a fastener shank, said spaced portions normally tending to spread apart when compressed, whereby to provide resistance to displacement of said fastener shank.

2. A fastening device comprising a resilient metal body having spaced portions connected at one end and extending in the same general direction, aligned open-ended slots on both of said spaced portions to engage a fastener shank, said spaced portions normally tending to spread apart when compressed, whereby to provide resistance 1 to displacement of said fastener shank.

3. A fastening device comprising a resilient body having spaced portions connected at one end and extending in the same general direction, an elongated slot on one of said portions, an elongated slot on the other of said portions in substantial alignment with the first named slot and having projections forming a restricted throat adjacent one end thereof, said spaced slotted portions being adapted to engage a fastener shank immediately adjacent its point of emergence from a structure through which said fastener is projected, and slidable over said fastener shank at right angles to the axis thereof.

ALBERT H. FAY, JR.

construction composed of shingles and 

